Non-volatile memory structure

ABSTRACT

A non-volatile memory array structure includes N bit lines, M first word lines, M×N first memory cells, a second word line, n repair circuits and a sense amplifier. The N bit lines and M first word lines are interlaced to control the M×N first memory cell. The second word line is placed across the n bit lines. Each of the repair circuits is electrically connected between the corresponding bit line and the sense amplifier. M and N are natural number.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation patent application of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/508,248, filed on 23 Aug. 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,512,022. The entire disclosure of the prior application Ser. No. 11/508,248, from which an oath or declaration is supplied, is considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying Continuation application and is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to nonvolatile memory array. More particularly, the present invention relates to nonvolatile memory array without a fuse.

2. Description of Related Art

Non-volatile memory devices, such as flash, include a floating gate to store electric charge and a charge input/output control unit. Flash can be used for Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a computer, high-density non-volatile memory array can be applied to mass storage devices in a portable Terminal Server, digital camera and memory card of a computer. Non-volatile memory has a lot of advantages, such as quick operation time, low power consumption and durability. A chip probing process is taken to test if the non-volatile memory functions after the non-volatile memory is manufactured, and the broken cell must be repaired or separated to avoid affecting all of the non-volatile memory.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional non-volatile memory array. A non-volatile memory array 100 includes a sense amplifier 101, metal fuses 103, bit lines 105, a first word line 111 and first memory cells 113. In the non-volatile memory array 100, each bit line 105 is electrically connected to the sense amplifier 101 through a metal fuse 103. First word lines 111 and bit lines 105 are interlaced to control the first memory cells 113. Because the structure of every bit line 105 is the same, the bit line 105 a and the corresponding circuit on it are used as an example for explaining.

In FIG. 1, bit line 105 a is electrically connected to the unit sense amplifier 117 a through the metal fuse 103 a. M word lines 111 and one bit line 105 a control the m memory cells 113 a. Memory cells 113 a are used to store data and put the stored date on the bit line 105 a. The metal fuses 103 a are used to convey the signal from the bit line 105 a to the sense amplifier 117 a such that the sense amplifier 117 can amplify the signal from the bit line 105 a.

When the non-volatile memory is done, generally, there is a first wafer sort stage to test the combinational logic function evaluated by the bit line 105 a. If the logic function of the bit line 105 a fails, the laser repair machine will trim the metal fuse 103 a by laser to disable the connection between bit line 105 a and sense amplifier 117 a. By doing so, the sole failed bit line 105 a affecting the whole Non-volatile memory array 100 can be avoided.

However, additional processes will be needed if the laser trimming method is used. For example, after the failed bit line 105 a is identified at the first wafer sort stage, an additional laser trimming step to trim the metal fuse open is needed, followed by an additional second wafer sort stage to test if the trimming works or not such that the whole non-volatile memory 100 can operation correctly. These additional steps make the whole test process more complicated.

For the forgoing reasons, there is a need for a new non-volatile structure that can disable the connection between the failed bit line and the sense amplifier without laser repair and second wafer sort stage to simplify the circuit test process.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a non-volatile memory array structure, which can disable the connection between failed bit lines and the sense amplifier during the first wafer sort stage to omit the laser repair and the second wafer sort process.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the non-volatile memory array structure includes N bit lines, M first word lines, M×N first memory cells, a second word line, n repair circuits and a sense amplifier. The N bit lines and M first word lines are interlaced to control the M×N first memory cells. The second word line is placed across the n bit lines. M and N are natural number.

Each of the repair circuits is electrically connected between one of the bit lines and the sense amplifier, each of which includes a second memory cell, a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a drain electrically connected to one of the bit lines, a source electrically connected to the sense amplifier, and a gate electrically connected to the second memory cell. The second transistor has a drain electrically connected to the second memory cell and the gate of the first transistor, a source electrically connected to the sense amplifier.

During the first wafer sort stage, the auto testing equipment turns on the first transistors by writing a first voltage to the second memory cells through the second word line. The testing equipment then tests each of the bit lines and identifies the failed bit lines. Next, the auto testing equipment turns on the second transistors to write a second voltage to the second memory cell to control the first transistor. If the bit line is failed, the second memory cell turns off the corresponding first transistor so that the connection between the failed bit line and the sense amplifier is disabled.

As mentioned above, the connections between the failed bit lines and the sense amplifier is disabled during the first wafer stage, so the laser repair and second wafer sorting process are no longer necessary such that the test can be simpler.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional non-volatile memory structure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a non-volatile memory structure of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the second memory cell of one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a non-volatile memory structure of one embodiment of the present invention. The non-volatile memory structure 200 includes N bit lines 203, M first word lines 201, M×N first memory cells 205, a second word line 207, n repair circuits 206 and a sense amplifier 215. The N bit lines 203 and M first word lines 201 are interlaced to control the M×N first memory cells 205. The second word line 207 is placed across the n bit lines 203. Among above, the M and N are natural number.

Each repair circuit 206 is electrically connected between one of the bit lines 203 and the sense amplifier 215, each of which includes a second memory cell 209, a first transistor 211 and a second transistor 213. The first transistor 211 has a drain electrically connected to the corresponding bit lines 203, a source electrically connected to the sense amplifier 215, and a gate electrically connected to the second memory cell 209. The second transistor 213 has a gate electrically connected to the enabling line 217, a drain electrically connected to the second memory cell 209 and the gate of the first transistor 211, a source electrically connected to the sense amplifier 215 and the source of the first transistor 211.

Because every bit line 203 has the same structure, the bit line 203 a is used as an example. The repair circuit 206 a includes a second memory cell 209 a, a first transistor 211 a and a second transistor 213 a. The first side of the second memory cell 209 a is electrically connected to the second word line 207, the second side of the second memory cell 209 a is electrically connected to the gate of the first transistor 211 a and drain of the second transistor 213 a. The drain of the first transistor 211 a is electrically connected to the bit line 203 a, and the source of the first transistor 211 a is electrically connected to the source of the second transistor 213 a and the unit sense amplifier 215 a.

In the non-volatile memory structure 200, each bit line 203 a evaluates some combination logic function, to identify if there are failed first memory cells on the bit line 203 a and if the bit line 203 a evaluates the combination logic function correctly, the auto testing equipment takes the following steps during the first wafer sort stage:

1. Turn on the first transistor 211 a and turn off the second transistor to test if there are failed first memory cells on the bit line 203 a. During this step, the auto testing equipment turns on the first transistor 211 a by writing a first voltage to the second memory cell 209 a through the second word line 207, and turns off the second transistor 213 a through the enabling line 217. By turning on the first transistor 211 a and turning off the second transistor 213 a, the auto testing equipment can test the bit line 203 a as it used to be.

2. Write a second voltage to the second memory cell. The value of the second voltage is determined according to the correctness of the combination logic function of the bit line 203 a. After step 1 is completed, the auto testing equipment turns on the second transistor 213 a and disables all the first word lines 201 such that the auto testing equipment can write the second voltage to the second memory cell 209 a. The second voltage will turn on the first transistor 211 a if the combinational logic function of the bit line 203 a is correct, or the second voltage will turn off the first transistor 211 a if the bit line 203 a fails.

3. Turning off the second transistor 213 a such that the connection between the bit line 203 a and the unit sense amplifier 215 a can be totally controlled by the first transistor 211 a which is controlled by the second memory cell 209 a.

The non-volatile memory can execute normal read/write operations immediately after the first wafer sort stage listed above. While the non-volatile memory executes normal read/write operations, the enabling line 217 turns off the second transistor 213 a to avoid the voltage at the source of first transistor 211 a been affected by the second memory cell 209 a. In addition, during the normal read/write operation, the second memory cell 209 a will turn on the first transistor 209 a if the combinational logic function of the bit line 203 a is correct, or it will turn off the first transistor 209 a if the bit line 203 a is failed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second memory cell 209 a of one embodiment of the present invention. The second memory cell 209 a still has a lot of different types. One kind of second memory type is used for illustration. The second memory cell 209 a includes a third transistor 303 a and a capacitor 301 a. The drain of the third transistor 303 a is electrically connected to the voltage supply 305 a, the gate of the third transistor 303 a is electrically connected to the second word line 207 which is shown in FIG. 2, the source of the third transistor 303 a is electrically connected to the first side 309 a of the capacitor 301 a and the gate of the first transistor 211 a, the second side of the capacitor 301 a is electrically connected to the ground.

At the first wafer sort stage as stated above, the auto testing equipment needs to turn on the first transistor 211 a to test bit line 203 a to identify if bit line 203 a is failed, therefore the auto testing equipment turns on the third transistor 303 a through the second word line 207 which is electrically connected to the gate of the third transistor 303 a such that the voltage supply 305 a can charge the capacitor 301 a to turn on the first transistor 211 a. After testing the functionality of the bit line 203 a, the auto testing equipment turns off the third transistor 303 a through the second word line 207, and charges or discharges the capacitor 301 a through the second transistor 213 a according to the function correctness of the bit line 203 a. For example, the capacitor 301 a will be charged to turn on the first transistor 211 a if the function of a bit line 203 a is correct, or the capacitor 301 a will be discharged to turn off the first transistor 211 a.

After the first wafer sort stage, the connection between bit line 203 a and unit sense amplifier 215 a is made according to the function correctness of the bit line 203 a.

In conclusion, the embodiments can disable the connections between the failed bit lines and the sense amplifier during the first wafer stage, so the laser repair and second wafer sorting process are no longer necessary such that the testing process can be more simplified.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A repair method for a non-volatile memory array structure wherein the non-volatile memory array structure includes a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of first memory cells electrically connected to the bit lines, a sense amplifier and a plurality of repair circuit coupled between the bit lines and the sense amplifier, and each of the repair circuits includes a second memory cell and a first transistor, the method comprises: testing the bit lines with an auto testing equipment; writing a first predetermined voltage to the second memory cell to turn on the first transistor when function of the corresponding bit line is correct; and writing a second predetermined voltage to the second memory cells to turn off the first transistors to disconnect the sensor amplifier with the corresponding bit line when function of the corresponding bit line fails.
 2. The repair method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first transistor is tuned on to connect the sensor amplifier with the corresponding bit line which is correct.
 3. A repair method for a non-volatile memory array structure wherein the non-volatile memory array structure includes a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of first memory cells electrically connected to the bit lines, a sense amplifier and a plurality of repair circuit coupled between the bit lines and the sense amplifier, and each of the repair circuits includes a second memory cell and a first transistor, the method comprises: testing the bit lines with an auto testing equipment; and writing a second predetermined voltage to the second memory cells to turn off the first transistors to disconnect the sensor amplifier with the corresponding bit line when function of the corresponding bit line fails.
 4. A repair method for a non-volatile memory array structure wherein the non-volatile memory array structure includes a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of first memory cells electrically connected to the bit lines, a sense amplifier and a plurality of repair circuit coupled between the bit lines and the sense amplifier, and each of the repair circuits includes a second memory cell, a first transistor and a second transistor, the method comprises: turning on the first transistor of each repair circuit and turning off the second transistor of each repair circuit to test each of the first memory cells; and writing a second predetermined voltage to the second memory cell to turn off the first transistor when function of the corresponding bit line fails.
 5. The repair method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: turning on the second transistor so that an auto testing equipment can write the second predetermined voltage to the second memory cell to control the first transistor.
 6. The repair method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first transistor is tuned off to disconnect the sensor amplifier with the corresponding bit line which fails. 